An appeals court in Athens has upheld the landmark 2020 ruling that senior figures of the far-right Golden Dawn operated as a criminal organisation under the guise of a political party. Founder Nikos Mihaloliakos and six other top officials were again found guilty of leading the group, while another 24 defendants — including 11 former MPs — were convicted of membership. The court also reaffirmed convictions linked to the 2013 murder of left-wing musician Pavlos Fyssas and the violent assault on Egyptian fishermen in Athens.

The defendants face sentences of up to 15 years in prison. The appeal process began in 2022, and last December prosecutor Kyriaki Stefanatou urged judges to maintain the original verdicts, describing Golden Dawn as a “genuine child of Nazi ideology” whose actions were motivated by extremist beliefs targeting political opponents and migrants. More than 200 people gathered outside the Athens court to welcome the ruling, marking another significant moment in Greece’s long-running legal battle against the party.

Golden Dawn rose to prominence during Greece’s financial crisis, entering parliament in 2012 with 18 seats amid public anger over austerity and immigration. However, its support declined sharply after Fyssas’ murder, which led to the arrest of key members, including Mihaloliakos. Although he accepted “political responsibility” for the killing, he denied criminal liability and was released on health grounds in September 2025 before completing his 13-year sentence. The party has failed to return to parliament since 2019, while a newer far-right group, the Spartans — endorsed by former Golden Dawn spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris — has since secured two seats.

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